AMBLYSTOMATID. -— CI. 177 
gills; toes 4-5. Aquatic. Genera 2, species 2. Megalobatrachus 
maximus of Japan and the following. 
u. Spiracles persistent; gill arches 4, . . . » »« CRYPTOBRANCHUS, 253. 
253. CRYPTOBRANCHUS Leuckart. (kpumrds, concealed ; 
Bpdyxos, gill.) 
491, C. alleganiensis (Daudin). HrLLBEnpEeR. Blackish; 
side of body with a thick fold of skin. L. 24. Ohio Valley and 
S., a very unprepossessing but harmless creature. Var. fuscus 
Holbr., brown, paler below, occurs in Tenn. R. 
Famity CI. AMBNYSTOMATID AH. (THE BLUNT-NOSED 
SALAMANDERS.) 
Vertebre amphicceelian ; carpus and tarsus ossified; toes 4-5, 
not webbed; tongue thick; a band of teeth across posterior part 
of vomer ; no teeth on parasphenoids (behind vomer). Genera 6; 
species about 25, mostly North American. The larve of Amblystoma 
often reach a large size before the gills disappear, and sometimes 
breed while in this condition. These were formerly considered 
as forming a separate genus, Siredon, supposed to be allied to Nec- 
turus. 
a. Tongue sub-circular, with radiating folds, its lateral borders free; palatine 
teeth in a long series, continuous or interrupted; tail compressed; mucous 
pores before eye. 
6. Folds of tongue radiating from behind; palatine teeth extending laterally 
behind inner nares. . . . » » » AMBLYSTOMA, 254. 
bb. Folds of tongue radiating from the median longitudinal furrow ; series 
of palatine teeth not extending laterally behind inner nares. 
Cuonprotvs,! 255. 
254. AMBLYSTOMA Tschudi. (duAdvs, blunt; ordua, mouth.) 
a. Costal grooves 10. 
492. A. talpoideum (Holbrook). Blackish brown, with gray, 
lichen-like markings; tail short, compressed, 24 in length; head 
very broad; body short and squat. Southern, N. toS. Il. (Lat., 
like a mole, talpa.) 
aa, Costal grooves usually 11. 
b. Sole with one indistinct tubercle, or none. 
c. Body with gray cross-shades. a abl: Saleen 
498. A. opacum (Gravenhorst). Black above, with about 14 
bluish gray bars; belly dark blue; no dorsal furrow; no enlarged 
pores on the head; tail 24 in total length; body stout. L. 3}. 
Penn. to Wis., and S. 
cc, Body with yellowish spots. 
1 Chondrotus is not found within our limits, and should be omitted. 
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